From a house inaccessible by street to having a junction devoted in her title, it has been an arduous but fulfilling journey for Minnu Mani, the primary Kerala girl to play for the Indian cricket staff. In a particular gesture, the native municipality final month named the Mysuru street junction as ‘Minnu Mani Junction’, the very place within the hilly city of Mananthavady from the place she would commute each day, overlaying 42 kilometres to coach on the KCA Stadium. “I practised cricket and carried out my studies in Kerala Cricket Association’s Cricket Academy from ninth grade until my graduation,” the Delhi Capitals cricketer mentioned on the sidelines of their camp right here.

“But, post my graduation, I had to cover a long distance to reach my training ground from my home,” the 24-year-old recalled her hardships.

Daughter of a daily-wage labourer, Mani, who belongs to a Kurichiya tribe in Wayanad, initially was not thinking about cricket however her Higher Secondary college trainer satisfied her to take up the game and put her beneath the steerage of district coach Shanavas.

She would journey about three hours each day, hopping 4 buses to coach on the KCA Stadium in Krishnagiri.

“I was travelling three hours a day and my family found it difficult to provide for my travel requirements as well. However, all the hard work has paid off now.

“Whenever I used to go for apply, I used to cross the principle junction of our city. And now that junction known as Minnu Mani junction. I really feel very proud and joyful to see a junction named after me,” she added.

An off-spinner who bats left-handed primarily in the top-order, Mani had an impressive outing in the 2023 Senior Women’s One Day Trophy, scoring 246 runs from eight matches at an average of 41 and picking up 12 wickets at 16.75 and economy rate of 3.79.

She came to limelight after Delhi Capitals picked her for Rs 30 lakh at the WPL auction.

The Kerala cricketer’s moment of reckoning came when she made her India debut on the tour of Bangladesh in July, playing all three T20Is.

“I did not anticipate to play all matches within the T20 collection. I could not consider it once I was named within the eleven for the primary recreation of the collection. I used to be so excited to get the chance and it was nice to obtain my India cap from Smriti Mandhana,” she recalled fondly.

Mani, who is part of the Indian squad for the upcoming Asian Games, further said: “I used to be barely nervous once I began bowling. I received hit for a six and a 4, after which Harmanpreet (captain) shared some ideas with me. I felt snug on the sphere after the 2 hits (laughs).” The Delhi Capitals men’s and women’s teams recently carried out an off-season camp in the Delhi NCR region.

The camp, which was conducted under the watchful eyes of the franchise’s Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly, consisted of nine players from each of the men’s and women’s teams.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)